Heat and reduced mobility

[Purplegirl70]

Hi, is anyone else finding they feel weaker and are struggling more walking and lifting in this recent hot weatger?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I don't think I'd say I was weaker as such - but we only go out to walk in the morning, afternoons are for sitting and doing inside stuff. Our afternoon temperatures are over 30C regularly so most people are fairly used to it but they all also comment -"Too hot!" Walking in these temperatures is not good for anyone - especially if it is in direct sun which can make it up to 15C hotter than in the shade.

[Purplegirl70 in reply to PMRpro]

Hmm then I wonder if it's a flare up as feel ridiculously weak, almost as bad as when first diagnosed. May have to consider increasing Pred for a while.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplegirl70]

Anything else? Not dehydrated? Have you been out in the sun? Could it be heat stroke?

[Purplegirl70 in reply to PMRpro]

Initially I thought it may have been dehydration but have been very vigilant about my fluid intake since and there's been no improvement in the lack of strength. I'm not keen on the heat so avoid being outside in the sun unless it cannot be avoided

[SnazzyD]

I felt a bit better after I slightly broke with my no salt diet, probably because I was losing it in sweat and lots of fluid.

[Purplegirl70 in reply to SnazzyD]

I did initially think it was dehydration but even ensuring I'm hydrated isn't helping. Am now thinkjng it might be a flare up 😔

[SnazzyD in reply to Purplegirl70]

Have you got pain?

[Purplegirl70 in reply to SnazzyD]

I'd say I'm more achy than in pain

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplegirl70]

How are you dealing with dehydration? Just water?

[Purplegirl70 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, just using water

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplegirl70]

You might be better with electrolyte drinks - when you sweat you lose sodium and other ions and that can lead to weakness. There are loads of recipes for homemade electrolyte drinks online - you don't want sport drinks, they have too much sugar. Of if you have a pharmacy nearby - they will have tablets for making it even more easy.

positivehealthwellness.com/...

is just one

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMRpro]

Or this

mnn.com/food/healthy-eating...

[Purplegirl70 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. I'll be trying one or more of these as soon as I can get to the shops

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplegirl70]

I tried to find one that you might have stuff in the cupboard for - but no luck...

[Purplegirl70 in reply to PMRpro]

Sadly no but I've been resting for a bit now so I should be fit ti drive to the nearest shop

[SnazzyD in reply to Purplegirl70]

Aches is still pain. More thoughts, - Have you had your potassium checked recently? Do you take magnesium? What dose are you on? Could your adrenals be a bit flat?

[Purplegirl70 in reply to SnazzyD]

I haven't had any PMR or general blood tests for months. My GP is more concerned about my weight and my glucose levels, both of which are unchanged since I started taking Pred. I told her last week that I was noticbly weaker recently she said it was probably unrelated to the PMR - no suggestion of what might have been the cause - however when I described the symptoms she did concede that it did sound like PMR but is still insisting I reduce the amount of Pred I take as, to paraphrase her, 'the Pmr wil not kill you but the diabetes will'

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplegirl70]

Nice cheery person! Obviously got a one-track mind: reduce pred whatever...

If your blood sugars are unchanged - why is that a problem due to pred?

[Purplegirl70 in reply to PMRpro]

I have no idea, she just seems obsessed with getting me off the Pred

[SnazzyD in reply to Purplegirl70]

Hmm, well, if she’s on the fence with the aches and you’ve not had many bloods in months, then a set of basic bloods like kidney, liver, full blood count might be an idea. I would ask for them on the basis that it is not certain it is PMR or not so other things need ruling out. What dose are you on? I haven’t read all your other posts but have you tried cutting out carbs yet?

[Purplegirl70 in reply to SnazzyD]

That's definitely something to propose to her. I haven't cut anything out of my diet as it takes me every ounce of energy to get a meal together after I've been at work and trying to rehash my diet is more than I can cope with right now

[SnazzyD in reply to Purplegirl70]

I can quite imagine. If your sugars remain normal and weight is the only issue I guess you have a bit more time, but I wouldn’t put it off too long. It will probably also make you feel better. I didn’t do anything fancy, I just did my normal meal without any rice, pasta and potatoes and replaced them with more veg. No effort and I got to stuff my face ‘for free’.

[Purplegirl70 in reply to SnazzyD]

I do eat less carbs now than I used too but somedays toast is the nearest I get to cooking, hence, my resistence to go carb free. Maybe one day when I'm feeling stronger

[scats]

I too can't function normally in bright sun and this sort of weather stresses me out, never knowing if I will cope. If you are similar the added stress could be effecting you. I has me this year.

[Purplegirl70 in reply to scats]

That's a really good point. I do find the heat stressful as I can't sleep, can't concentrate and become grumpy. At least it's cooler at the mo, am hoping for some respite, hope you're feeling better to

[scats in reply to Purplegirl70]

Yes thanks, easier this weekend but I haven't been able to reduce all summer. Will probably wait til it's cooler, they say it's getting hot again.

[scoobydoo87]

I’ve been the same with the hot weather, I’m always hot anyway. So feel 10 times worse.

Feel so week , yesterday it was even an effort to speak , felt like a was slurring my words.

I’ve just assumed it was a flare-up.

It’s pouring it down here today and 10 degrees cooler. I feel a lot better.

Hope you feel better soon .x

[Purplegirl70 in reply to scoobydoo87]

Thanks. Hope you feel bettr soon too

[Grants148]

Hi Purple girl,l have an intolerance to heat even during winter l break out in a sweat if the weather is mild and humid.l found the recent hot spell very difficult to deal with,just stayed indoors mostly during the day,even then felt very uncomfortable.l also found that my legs ached more and my ankles swelled up.lt was such a relief when it rained and became cooler,but the temperature is creeping back up again , l love bright sunny days ,especially in springtime,but these last few weeks have been unusually hot and l guess we are just not used to it.l wish you all the best and some cooler weather.